Friday, August 24, 2012

Litfuse Book Review: The Haven

About the Book:

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision–one that goes against her very essence. Yet it’s the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation–and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons–courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie’s heart.

Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family, and true love. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie’s story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

Suzanne Woods Fisher begins The Haven with a flurry of activity and names. Since I had not read the first book in the Stony Ridge Series, I decided to continue with my reading and figure it out later who was who.

The story's plot was very intriguing, piquing your interest and then moving on to another mystery. However, as the story continued, I found myself looking at the cover to insure I was indeed reading an Amish novel. The characters' moral behavior, haphazard acceptance of sin in some while condemning it others, and the integration of the English in their lives left me a little surprised. I was not sure if this was intentional on the author's part to showcase a different side of the Amish.

As the story continues, the "heroine" of the story is praised for becoming a woman. She is admired for her strength and gentleness. Yet, I found her behavior hypocritical, her values skewed, and her naivete unbearable. She was no heroine in my book.

There were moments while reading this book that I laughed out loud and then there were others that were heartfelt riddled with forgiveness. Then there were others in which I would have wanted to put the book down and not continue. I am glad I did though. The surprise at the end redeemed this book in my eyes. The end included some loose ends which I assume the author will tie together in a future book.

About the Author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher’s interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles–simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily– into your life.

When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Celebrate the newest book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series with Suzanne by
entering her 4 eReader Giveaway and Facebook Party and RSVPing for the Live Video
Chat on 8/30!

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends
on August 29th. Winner will be announced at Suzanne's Live Author Chat Party on 8/
30. Suzanne will be hosting an author chat (party will start on Facebook AND
then be Live from her website) and giving away books, gift certificates and several Burt's
Bees® Nourishing Radiance Kits!!So grab your copy of The Haven and join Suzanne on the evening of the August
30th for a fun chat (both on Facebook and via Live Video), trivia contest and lots of
giveaways.

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